Retiring detective looks back on 34 years' thief-taking

ASK retired Detective Chief Superintendent Bill Hacking what he remembers most about his career in the police force and you might expect him to reel off a string of notorious murder cases from the past 34 years.

But for the former Blackburn bobby who eventually became one of the county's highest ranking officers only the handful of cases that beat him and his colleagues stick in his mind.

"The things that remain unsolved annoy me because of my pride," he said.

"If you don't detect something it makes you feel like you've not done all you can, like you've let people down."

Mr Hacking, who retired as head of CID at Lancashire Constabulary on Friday, joined Blackburn police aged 19 following years as a cadet.

He spent his first three years as a bobby on the beat before joining CID, and has been a detective ever since.

"You could say I got a taste for being in CID," said Mr Hacking, 53.

"I didn't join the police with a view to being a detective but in my mind it is the most interesting part of police work and the most satisfying.

"One of the nicer things about the job is the feeling that you are contributing to the quality of people's lives. As a detective you are purely concentrating on reducing and detecting crime and that directly affects people."

During his career Mr Hacking, from Darwen, has worked with the murder, serious crime and fraud squads, as well as in Blackpool and Preston CID, before taking his post as head of CID.

One of the last cases he was involved with was the death of Accrington teenager Sajjad Mahmood, who was found in the town's Haggs Lodge last year. Three men were arrested and last week were sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison for their parts in the beating and killing.

Mr Hacking said: "There have been so many horrific jobs over the years.

"For me, the police are there to get the bad guys and bring them before the court, to enforce the law and make sure people's homes, roads and their families are safe."

Married with three grown up children and six grandchildren, Mr Hacking, who lives near Lancashire Police headquarters in Hutton, Preston, has seen many changes in the force during his career.

He has been involved in working groups looking at the advances in forensic science as well as developments with DNA.

"There have been massive advances with things like that and they are helping the police enormously in carrying out their work.

"We have also made huge leaps forward with the way we deal with witnesses and victims. In the past they have may not been dealt with in the right way but now they are given support and information which is great.

"The police have also made progress in the way they deal with the media and in interview techniques."

He is now looking forward to spending some time with his family, although he will miss the force.

"It's a funny feeling for me because I am elated but sad at the same time," he says.

"I am leaving behind a lot of friends here and it has been wonderful for me. "I wouldn't say I've enjoyed every minute but the police force is a marvellous organisation and I'm very proud to have played my part."

Colleague Detective Superintendent Bob Denmark, of the senior investigating officers team, also retired on Friday after almost 30 years.

His career involved bringing to justice the men responsible for the murder of Darwen accountant David Wilson, who was shot dead at his Withnell home in March 1992.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: "These detectives were two of Lancashire's best and most experienced men.

"Their expertise has been used to great effect in a number of high profile cases and they have both shown a great deal of dedication to the job."

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